The Best log splitters are not characterized by their positioning. They are characterized by other factors and other aspects. The Best log splitter for one may be the vertically positioned one where as the other may prefer the horizontally positioned one. The performance of the log splitters are not affected by their positioning. However, what does get affected is the practicality, the comfort as well as the personal style.
People go in for a horizontal log splitter if they expect to be working mainly on terrains which are even and also these are people who usually work with small and at the most medium sized logs. These splitters sometimes even have a mechanical lift. The reason for having this lift is that the user does not need to manually put each of the logs onto the splitting platform. The logs just need to be placed on their sides. That way the user does not need to worry about having to balance the logs first. They just need to place, secure and then split the logs. This process needs to be repeated for as many times as the user wants.
Whereas the vertical log splitter works differently. It allows the user to work on irregular terrains and that too much more safely than the horizontal splitter allows the user to work on. The wedge of the vertical log splitter has a downward movement. This movement is perpendicular to the ground and due to this, massive logs can be split which otherwise are not possible using the horizontal splitter.
The disadvantage though is that these logs need to stand up and not lay on the side. Therefore, the logs need to be balanced first before they are split. For commercial log splitting heavy duty, gas powered splitters allow you to switch from the horizontal to the vertical splitting.